Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Lifestyle
Coco Khan

All the places I’ll never live: a period property with USB plug sockets

‘This five-bed, 19th-century cottage requires no compromises.’
This five-bed, 19th-century cottage requires no compromises.’ Photograph: Handout

People will pay more for a period property. For years, this baffled me. “Why pay extra for a house that has a downstairs bathroom, needs endless repairs, and has had someone die in it?” I’d wonder. “Nostalgia must be one hell of a drug.”

I now know that many homebuyers think about resale value, and the joy of waking up in a high-ceilinged room flooded with daylight from sash windows. For buying to let, there are generous room sizes and the potential for modification to maximise occupancy. But what these future landlords don’t think about enough is plug sockets. How is any modern human meant to survive with only two double plug sockets per room? Don’t get me wrong, I like an ornate fireplace, but the mounting tension in the living room over who unplugged whose phone puts its beauty into perspective.

Still, why choose between modern convenience and heritage charm? This five-bed, 19th-century cottage requires no compromises. With its oak beams, a brick fireplace and carved spindles on the bannister, it is full of traditional delights. And it offers contemporary comforts: a breakfast bar, a private drive, an en-suite bathroom and the greatest luxury of all – plug sockets with integrated USB ports. Peace comes in many forms – and a socket that can handle four devices is one of them.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.